How to Say "children" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “children” is “niño” — use 'niños' to refer to a general group of young boys and girls together, especially in everyday contexts like school or play.
Use 'niños' to refer to a general group of young boys and girls together, especially in everyday contexts like school or play.
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Use 'hijos' specifically when referring to one's own sons and daughters, emphasizing the parent-child relationship.
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Use 'menores' in a more formal or legal context to refer to minors, often in relation to age restrictions or rights.
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Use 'criaturas' informally and often endearingly to refer to very young children or babies, sometimes implying they are like little creatures.
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Examples
Los niños están jugando en el parque.
The children are playing in the park.
ee-khosˈixos
Examples
Tengo tres hijos.
I have three children.
¿Cuántos hijos tienes?
How many children do you have?
Tengo dos hijos: un niño y una niña.
I have two children: a boy and a girl.
Todos mis hijos viven en Madrid.
All my children live in Madrid.
The All-Inclusive Plural
In Spanish, if you have a group of people that includes even one male, you use the masculine plural form. So, 'hijos' can mean 'sons', but it most often means 'children' (sons and daughters together).
Using 'hijas' for a mixed group
Mistake: “If you have a son and a daughter, you might say: 'Tengo dos hijas.'”
Correction: Always say 'Tengo dos hijos.' Use 'hijas' only when talking about a group of ALL daughters.
meh-NOH-rehsmeˈnoɾes
Examples
Los menores de 18 años necesitan permiso para entrar.
Children under 18 need permission to enter.
La entrada es gratuita para los menores.
Admission is free for minors/children.
El centro ofrece actividades recreativas para menores de edad.
The center offers recreational activities for underage people.
Adjective to Noun
This is a case where the adjective 'menor' is used as a noun. When you put an article like 'los' or 'las' in front of it, it refers directly to the people who are under the legal age.
kree-ah-TOO-raskriaˈtuɾas
Examples
Qué criaturas tan lindas tienes.
What lovely little children you have.
Las criaturas deben estar en cama antes de las nueve.
The children must be in bed before nine.
¡Qué ruido hacen estas criaturas cuando juegan!
What a noise these little ones make when they play!
Always Plural Feminine
Even if the group of children includes boys, 'criaturas' is always a feminine noun, so you use 'las criaturas'.
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “Los criaturas están aquí.”
Correction: Las criaturas están aquí. (Because 'criatura' is always feminine, even when referring to boys.)
Niños vs. Hijos
The most common confusion is between 'niños' and 'hijos.' Remember that 'niños' is a general term for kids (boys and girls), while 'hijos' specifically refers to your own sons and daughters. Use 'niños' for other people's children or a general group, and 'hijos' only when talking about your family.
Related Translations
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